Can the defendant in a criminal trial request to have a judge trial vs a jury trial?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Can the defendant in a criminal trial request to have a judge trial vs a jury trial?
I have heard you can ask for the judge to hear the case and that you can not have a judge hear the case, it must be a jury trial.
Asked on March 8, 2016 under Criminal Law, California
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
You can request a judge trial versus a jury trial. But you have to officially waive your right to a jury trial. Before you waive your right to a jury trial, however, visit with an attorney who normally practices in that court to determine if this is the best option for the facts of your case.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.